Hydra Head
2007
Someone someday should write a book about the late ’90s, early ’00s Boston hardcore/metal scene. It’s mind-boggling that Bane, Converge, Cave In, Isis, Doomriders, Old Man Gloom, and now Zozobra are all connected, not to mention Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Red Sparowes, and assorted one-offs and solo projects.
Zozobra began as a solo project of Cave In bassist Caleb Scofield. Zozobra, aka “Old Man Gloom,” is also the name of Santa Fe’s answer to Burning Man. In 2001, Old Man Gloom (the band, of which Scofield is a member) released an album called Zozobra (confused yet?), but Zozobra (the band) isn’t as expansive as OMG’s art metal.
Its debut actually sounds kind of like Cave In’s last record, Perfect Pitch Black. I’ve argued that Scofield was the star of PPB with his screams and huge bass tone, and those elements form the basis of Harmonic Tremors. Some songs were even intended for Cave In; “Soon to Follow” was probably one of them.
Of course, Stephen Brodsky is the yin to Scofield’s yang in Cave In, so Zozobra is more bottom-heavy. The last half of the album, in particular, focuses on drums and bass grooves, somewhat at the expense of songwriting. However, the huge, awesome recording almost makes up for it. With some fine moments in the first half, including the Isis-meets-Jesu “Levitator,” Harmonic Tremors is yet another intriguing branch off the Cave In tree.
It’s out of stock at Hydra Head right now, but Interpunk has it.
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This is one out of that enclave I’ve missed, and I’d be interested to check it out. Hyrda Head usually keeps my interest. Then again, I love Isis, so there ya go.
This album kicks serious ass. Between all of the other projects floating around between these guys, this album stands with true replay value.